Nature Bridges in the News

Boardwalks help protect the ecosystem in dunes, wetlands, and other sensitive areas by keeping foot traffic off the valuable plants. Like other walkways, however, they need to be maintained. The wood, concrete, or even composite structure can degrade over time, and sometimes repairs need to be made. Treating the material for additional durability, cleaning, and inspections should all be completed regularly. DIY Maintenance versus Professional Maintenance In many cases, it’s entirely reasonable to maintain a boardwalk or any other wooden structure yourself, and we previously put together a blog with some tips to help you. The advantage to doing the […]

Read More… from Boardwalk Maintenance: Why Outsourcing is Often Best

We’re nearing the end of National Golf Month, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll stop thinking about golfing in a few days! Golf is one of the favorite sports in the United States with over hundreds of millions of rounds played every year. More than 9 million people watched the Masters Tournament in 2021. Golf is popular, but it would be difficult to cover the entire course on foot. Golf carts are important to playing the game, and that means that golf cart bridges are essential. Why Golf Cart Bridges are Special Golf cart bridges span over streams and any […]

Read More… from How to Make Your Golf Course Great – with Bridges!

Many people are fascinated by birds. Some are colorful, some are majestic, and most of all – they have the ability to fly. It’s always exciting to see a bird that you’ve never seen before, and it’s easy to see them in a variety of environments. If you want to start bird watching as a hobby, there are some easy ways to get started. Get the Tools You don’t necessarily need any equipment to watch birds, as long as you just want to watch without knowing the type of bird or see them too closely. If you want to make […]

Read More… from The Basics of Birdwatching

There are several concerns when building in the water, especially in sensitive areas like wetlands and oceans. One of these, of course, is the environmental impact. Nature Bridges helps preserve these habitats by using top down construction and planning appropriately. Construction of boardwalks and other walkways in water also require special attention because of the effects of water over time. Marine Building Materials Over time, moisture – and especially standing water – can impact structural and decking components of any structure built in or around it. While Nature Bridges and other construction companies use several types of building materials, there […]

Read More… from Marine Construction: What We Need to Remember

Wetlands are a vital part of our environment, but not one that many people consider when talking about preservation. These swampy areas may seem like an environment we can do without because they are more difficult to build on or walk through, but there are many reasons that keeping them intact and thriving are beneficial. Wetland Ecosystems Wetlands comprise several different types of habitats. Marshes and swamps are possibly the most well-known, but bogs and fens are also types of wetlands. While they’re very similar in that they’re mostly covered by water, each type of wetland is a little different. […]

Read More… from Preserving the Wetlands

Neabsco Creek Boardwalk is a part of Neabsco Regional Park in Woodbridge, VA. This ¾ mile boardwalk allows visitors the opportunity to cross Neabsco Creek and access the wetlands in the area. Wetlands such as these are home to a variety of plants and animals, and nearly all of them need the wetlands to survive. The marshes at Neabsco are home to animals such as the great blue heron, muskrats, raccoons, northern water snakes, diamondback terrapin, and even a variety of crustaceans such as the marsh crab. Killifish, mummichog, and many other fish swim through the waters here. Plants include […]

Read More… from How Top Down Construction Preserves the Environment at Neabsco Creek

The earliest bridges were very simple to construct. Some of them were even made by nature, such as a log falling over a stream. Ancient people used logs, stones, and anything else they found nearby to build a structure that would allow them to cross a short distance. These early bridge builders were quick and efficient in their work. The bridges worked, but they did have their own problems. Load One of the most important design considerations is whether the bridge will support the load it’s intended to hold. Bridge designers like Nature Bridges make extensive calculations to determine how […]

Read More… from Bridge Construction: What You Don’t Know

Summer is one of the best times of year to spend time in nature. Plants are growing quickly and flowers bloom, which not only gives us lovely scenery but provides more shade to protect us from the sun. Animals are more active, so we can see them in action. The benefits of spending time in nature are proven, so do everything you can to enjoy your outdoor time in the summer safely. Summer Activities In a previous blog, we discussed some ways to spend time outdoors in the winter. You can do some of the same activities in the summer, […]

Read More… from Getting Your Outdoor Time in Summer

Sand dunes are a common sight along the beach. Some people love them, and some simply find them an annoyance in getting to the beach. Whether you enjoy exploring them or not, these mounds form when sediment is carried by the elements and are an important aspect of the shoreline. Many plants and animals live in the dunes, and some species cannot live anywhere else. They also help protect inland areas from wind, waves, and severe storms. Dunes in Danger We usually think of dunes as a solid natural structure, but they are at risk due to the shifting nature […]

Read More… from Boardwalks: How They Protect the Dune Ecosystem

Most people in the world have heard of Earth Day and may even know that it’s in April, but do you know why the day was created…or even what it means? Earth Day is one of the most observed days in the world, narrowly falling below religious holidays like Easter and Christmas. On April 22 every year, over a billion people take action to change our behavior regarding the environment. Beginnings of Earth Day Earth Day started as an idea to help educate students on college campuses. In 1969, Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin was inspired by students protesting the […]

Read More… from Earth Day: What It Means